Cricket

Railways and Tamil Nadu Clash in Crucial Ranji Trophy EncounterAs the Ranji Trophy enters its fifth round, two formidable teams, Railways and Tamil Nadu, prepare to face off in a high-stakes encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With only two points separating them in the Elite Group-D standings, this match promises to be a thrilling battle for supremacy.Tamil Nadu, led by stand-in captain N. Jagadeesan, will be without their regular skipper R. Sai Kishore, who is sidelined with a thumb injury. However, Jagadeesan remains confident in his team's ability to overcome this setback. "Everybody is motivated. The youngsters over here are pumped up and they want to do well in this platform," he said.Railways, on the other hand, has been playing some impressive cricket this season. Despite not being able to play their home matches at one ground, the experienced squad has shown resilience and determination. "Of course, it is very challenging for us. We take even a home game as an away game. So that is the mental preparation," said Railways captain Pratham Singh.Both teams have remained unbeaten so far, but a win in this match would be crucial for their aspirations. Tamil Nadu will be eager to secure a favorable result after three consecutive draws, while Railways will be keen on getting back to winning ways after stumbling to a draw against Chhattisgarh.The Ranji matches will take a break after this round, and the victor in this encounter will have the added advantage of gaining some breathing space in the tightly contested group. Currently led by Chandigarh with 19 points, the winner of this match will be well-positioned to challenge for the top spot when the domestic red-ball season resumes in late January.

Tamil Nadu, a formidable force in domestic cricket, will seek redemption when they face Assam in a crucial Ranji Trophy Elite Group 'D' match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The visitors, who suffered a setback in their previous fixture, will be bolstered by the return of their regular captain, R. Sai Kishore.Tamil Nadu's batting lineup has been in fine form, with all-rounder Vijay Shankar making a match-saving century in their last outing. Despite the absence of B. Sai Sudharsan and B. Indrajith, who are representing India-A in Australia, the team possesses ample firepower to dominate Assam. Opener N. Jagadeesan, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, and newcomer C. Andre Siddarth have all been among the runs.However, the bowlers will be eager to make amends after a disappointing performance in their third-round match, where they conceded the first-innings lead. Sai Kishore's presence adds teeth to the attack, and it remains to be seen if the side opts for a spin-heavy approach. Strapping left-arm pacer Gurjapneet Singh, who was rested for the previous game, will be raring to go against an Assam batting unit that has struggled for consistency.Sumit Ghadigaonkar has been the lone bright spot for the home team, amassing 352 runs so far. He will need to continue his good form if Assam hopes to provide meaningful competition.Tamil Nadu, currently third in the group with 11 points, will be gunning for a win as the race for knockout berths intensifies. A victory would strengthen their position and boost their chances of advancing to the next stage.

Debutant pacer Gurjapneet Singh's exceptional spell (9-5-7-4) in the second innings propelled Tamil Nadu to a commanding position against Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy (Elite Group D) clash at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground on Sunday.TN, who resumed day three on 278 for three, were bowled out for 367 at the stroke of lunch, securing a 164-run first-innings lead. Gurjapneet, wicketless in the first essay, wreaked havoc on the Saurashtra top-order, leaving the opposition reeling at 16 for five.The tall left-arm seamer exploited the new ball effectively, coming around the wicket and shaping it away from the right-handers. He also judiciously employed the short ball and claimed his maiden wicket when Chirag Jani, surprised by a bouncer, pulled it straight to mid-wicket.Gurjapneet then dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara, trapping him plumb in front for a duck. Parshwaraj Rana was the next to go, edging a pull to the keeper down the leg-side before Prerark Mankad got squared up and was caught behind.Earlier in the day, another left-arm pacer and Saurashtra skipper, Jaydev Unadkat (six for 61), led from the front as he scythed through the TN middle order with the second new ball, claiming his 24th five-for in first-class cricket.The veteran pacer kept it full, swinging it both ways and pinning the batters to the crease in his seven-over burst (7-3-13-4) that saw the home team lose five wickets for 18 runs.However, 18-year-old debutant C. Andre Siddarth (38) played an assured knock and, alongside M. Mohammed, added 60 runs for the ninth-wicket to take the lead past 150.With rain expected on the fourth and final day, Sai Kishore's men will desperately hope for sunshine as they sense an opportunity to start the season with a big win.